How to ask for an internship?

kenshi · 02-08-2006, 05:29 PM

Im intrested in getting an internship with a company but I do not know if they offer them. I looked on the website and there is no email just a number and an address. Should I go and ask (its located in my school) or should I call?

illusionalhopes · 02-28-2006, 08:28 PM

just call the top person and submit a resume (no longer than 2 pages)

tuffsuff86 · 02-28-2006, 10:26 PM

The company is IN your school?
What’s stopping you? What kind of company is it? Sine it is in your school’s building, they probably won’t mind if you walk in with a resume to inquire internships, and there’s probably a good chance that you wouldn’t be the first. When I interned at a firm in the summer, I used to sit in the front, and someone just walked in asked if there were any openings and left their resume with me. I think that if he went up to the actual executives, thEy probably would have been annoyed, so ask the secretary or whoever is in the front of the office. But, if you’re shy, you could cold call them.

tako · 02-28-2006, 11:46 PM

If they provide an email address, would it be better to email or to actually go up to them?

And if you go up (to the secretary, for example), should you dress up? Because you're not really doing anything right...so should you just dress casual?

CopterMom · 03-01-2006, 04:32 PM

It's been my experience that the secretary is the "first line of defense". If she likes you you have a chance to move to the next level. If she doesn't there's a good chance your resume goes into the trash. BTW - I'm only half joking around. Yes, dress professionally and appropriate to the position you hope to acquire. Chances are, the "boss" is going to ask the secretary/receptionist about you. Questions about how you presented yourself both in dress and attitude ie were you respectful.

Also, there is alway the chance that the internship supervisor will be in the room when you come in. I've actually gotten an interview (and the job) after walking in cold with my resume. So you can't count on "not doing anything". Be as prepared as possible.

tuffsuff86 · 03-01-2006, 08:57 PM

I actually find it easier to get a response, and most companies would prefer, if you e-mail them (if they provide you with an e-mail address on their website). Always e-mail HR first, but if you receive no answer and if there is an e-mail of a specific person who works at the company listed, e-mail that person. This puts you in direct contact with a person who you might be working for. In my experience, e-mailing about internships (and I’ve e-mailed a lot) I get quicker responses from executives I e-mail directly. In some cases, the secretary might not give or just forget to give your resume, so e-mailing is safer.

If you receive no answer, then you could walk in. But, DO NOT do this for a huge or busy company…they might get annoyed, since the purpose of putting their e-mail address on the website is to avoid walk-ins.

kenshi · 03-03-2006, 06:24 PM

I finally got the email address and sent them my resume. They quickly responded and said they could not open it. I then copyed and pasted it but it has been three days and no response back. What to do now?

tuffsuff86 · 03-03-2006, 07:04 PM

e-mail them and follow up...if no response, call them and follow up:
"Hi my name is X, I recently sent you my resume for an internship and I was just calling to make sure that you recieved it...." or something like that. Find out how long it will take for them to get back to you.